The Navy has grounded two lieutenants who drew an outline of a penis in the skies over Washington state in their EA-18G Growler this week, sparking a stream of social media complaints from locals.
The jet is part of Electronic Attack Squadron 130, also known as “The Zappers,” based out of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
Lt. Cmdr. Leslie Hubbell, a Navy spokeswoman, declined to identify the pilots, but said that how and why the skyborne penis renderings came to be is under investigation.
“Those involved will be held accountable for their actions,” she said.
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The squadron’s Growlers provide electronic warfare capabilities.
News that Navy jets had drawn the phallic image quickly spread online Friday, after local TV news station KREM 2 News broke the story Thursday.
Locals had contacted the station after seeing the condensed air trail rendering.
A concerned mother who spotted the renderings told KREM 2 that she was upset she might have to explain the drawings to her kids.
“The Navy holds its aircrew to the highest standards and we find this absolutely unacceptable, of zero training value and we are holding the crew accountable,” the Navy told KREM.
Geoff is the managing editor of Military Times, but he still loves writing stories. He covered Iraq and Afghanistan extensively and was a reporter at the Chicago Tribune. He welcomes any and all kinds of tips at geoffz@militarytimes.com.
